Minutes of BC FreeNet Exec. Meeting
Friday June 17, 1994
at the Jolly TaxPayer, Vancouver, B.C.
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present: Brian Campbell, Vice President
Detlef Rudolph, Treasurer
Gary Shearman, President
Lynda Williams, Secretary
guests: Patricia McNamee & Robin Inskip, Edmonton Free-Net
sat in on the first half hour
Reviewed BOARD STRUCTURE and agreed by concensus that:
the board of B.C. Free-Net consists of one representative
from each member organizing committee, appointed to the board
by the organizing committee;
B.C. Free-Net's membership embraced all board members of
B.C. Free-Net organizing commitees;
four table officers (president, vice-president, treasurer
and secretary) shall be elected by the B.C. Free-Net Board
at its AGM, with each represented organizing committee
casting one vote
Reported by Shearman:
B.C. Free-Net is an official NON-PROFIT SOCIETY, duly
registered as of January 1994. It's proper name is British
Columbia Free-Net Association, but it may be referred to
as B.C. Free-Net or Free-Net B.C.
Moved by Campbell, Seconded by Rudolph: Carried
MEMBERSHIP FEES of $100 per organizing committee per year
will be required, effective August 1, 1994, for membership
in B.C. Free-Net.
Discussion of Industries Canada sponsored Report on Sustainability
of Free-Nets in B.C.:
Campbell believes substance is lacking and report is not
a useful marketing plan for Free-Nets.
Shearman said Teleconsult consultants found it hard to
satisfy both the Free-Net Community, which wanted a
formula for success, and government stakeholders who
wanted a higher level presentation of general principles.
While it remains unclear exactly how B.C. Free-Net might
make use of the report, it was agreed B.C. Free-Net
must put support of local organizing committees ahead
of developing its own infrastructure.
B.C. Free-Net as a coordinating agent for government contracts:
Shearman reported that Victoria Free-Net has been approached
by the Information Commissioner to disseminate his office's
information for a fee. Shearman believes this could be
productive model for B.C. Free-Net to pursue on behalf of
all operating Free-Nets (and member community computing
committees).
A possible model might be for B.C. Free-Net to negotiate
contacts, taking 5-10% off the top for its overhead and
dividing the rest among participating member systems.
To ensure some cash flow to small systems without unfairly
penalizing the lowermainland, 20% could be divided equally,
with the remaining 70-75% divided by population.
Shearman will pursue obtaining contracts.
Campbell will prepare one or more alternative payment
models for submission to organizing committees, requesting
them to provide feedback. Committees will be asked for
their opinion of the idea and which alternative they
support for distributing payment.
It was agreed that executive members continue to pursue
contacts as they occurr, making an effort, where possible,
to include representation from at least 2 Free-Nets when
negotiating on behalf of B.C. Free-Net.
Moved by Shearman, Seconded by Rudolph:
Shearman will contact PRATT for clarification regarding the
disposition of their remaining funds of $10,000, upon their
dissolution, and urging them to consider B.C. Free-Net as
the heir to their original mission.
Treasurer's report:
Rudolph submitted a financial report showing B.C. Free-Net
has no funds or assets at the moment.
Relationship with B.C. Tel & B.C. Systems:
Shearman will approach B.C. Tel and B.C.S.C. requesting
formal support for the Free-Net movement in B.C.
Sea-to-Sky and NPTN:
Rudolph reported NPTN has informed Sea-to-Sky they cannot
continue using the term "Free-Net" unless they pay to
become NPTN affiliates.
Recommendation from B.C. Free-Net is to request NPTN to
wait until after Telecommunities Canada's August meeting,
where Canadian ownership of the term "Free-Net" within
Canada may be decided. Recommendation is based on Shearman's
information that NPTN intends to transfer the right to the
name to its Canadian counterpart once Telecommunities Canada
is established.
Rumours of surcharges for Free-Nets from B.C. Net:
Campbell will follow up on flurry of e-mail on this topic,
with an official letter to B.C. Net from B.C. Free-Net,
requesting clarification.
B.C. Free-Net AGM:
The AGM will be held, once more, in conjunction with the
conference on Information Policy, Nov. 27, 1994.
Liability of board members, organizing committees:
Campbell will ask Vancouver Regional Free-Net's volunteer
lawyer, Bill Andrews, to look into this.
Relationships to Commercial Internet Providers:
Due to insufficient time, it was agreed discussion be deferred
to the bcfree mailing list.
Shearman did clarify recent questions regarding the relationship
between InterLink, in which he is a partner, and the Victoria
Free-Net. He stated the two organizations are separate,
despite the overlap of individuals, but that the founding
principle of InterLink is that it would assist Free-Nets
financially when it is in a position to do so. To date it
is small and just holding its own through connecting business
clients. It pays for its Internet connection, in partnership
with two other companies. Victoria Free-Net is still sharing
Camosun College's Internet connection.
For further discussion on bcfree:
1) policy regarding dissemination of information
2) contact persons for organizing committees
3) starter kit development for organizing committees
Projection:
Rudolph solicited estimates of growth.
The group felt there will be 5 operating Free-Nets in B.C.
by Sept 94. Victoria, Vancouver, Prince George, Trail and
Sea-to-Sky.